VIDEO: Savannah Fields Interview
JEFFERSON CITY, Tenn. – We continue on with our Carson-Newman women's soccer position previews with a look at the midfielders with assistance from graduate student Savannah Fields.
This position group remains a strong one for C-N, despite seeing Addie Henry (Chattanooga, Tenn.) graduate after she manned the midfield for five seasons. Amongst the five players in the midfield, all played significant roles in 2023 and combined to score 13 goals and add nine of the team's 16 assists last season.
Savannah Fields (Johnson City, Tenn.) has the most experience of anyone on Carson-Newman's roster, having played 60 games in her career, 21 more than anyone else, starting 51 of those including her last 24 games played.
"I think experience is extremely important," Fields said. "It gives you a lot of confidence on the field. I think being with these girls for so long and playing with this team for so many games, it's just offered a lot of insight into all of their unique talents and abilities."
The trio of Alba Delgado (Oviedo, Spain.), Felicia Frick (Eschen, Liechtenstein) and Selina Jud (Wilderswil, Switzerland) each tied for the team lead in goals with four in 2023, making up nearly half of the team's goals scored. All three superb midfielders were selected to the preseason All-South Atlantic Conference teams as well.
Delgado scored twice against Emory & Henry on Sept 20, the only game in which a C-N player scored multiple goals. The Oviedo, Spain native was extremely efficient, taking just 15 shots, 12 of which found the target.
Frick led the squad with six assists, finishing the season with a team-high 14 points as well. She has been one of the more pristine penalty kick takers in program history. Three of her four goals this season have been from via the PK. Frick is a perfect 5-5 on penalty kicks, which is tied for the most penalty kicks made in program history.
Jud was one of four Eagles to start and play in all 19 games. She tied for the team lead with four goals scored, also had an assist to total nine points in her second year. The midfielder fired 29 shots, 11 of which were on goal. Three of her four goals were game winners.
"These girls are incredible," Fields said. "They are very versatile. I trust them a lot, no matter where they are on the field. Being with Philly (Felicia), Alba, Malia and Selina, I trust them. It's very important to have that connection all across the field and I think it really serves to our advantage."
Malia Kim (Oak Ridge, Tenn.) rounds out the midfield group which only consists of returning players. Kim was a key reserve as a sophomore, appearing 17 games in her first year with C-N.
"I think offensively it goes back to the continuity and experience on the field," Fields said. "Just being with these girls another year, knowing them so well and playing again is the piece that connects it all."
Carson-Newman's position previews continue and wrap up next Wednesday, August 28th with a preview of the defenders and goalkeepers with assistance from graduate student Noel Criser (West Yarmouth, Mass.)
